Bathing garment with integrated cleansing agent

ABSTRACT

An article including a wettable bathing garment including one or more layers of material, a rinsable cleansing agent, and one or more side openings; and wherein the rinsable cleansing agent is integrated with the one or more layers of material.

FIELD

The present teachings generally relate to a wettable bathing garment including an integrated rinsable cleansing agent.

BACKGROUND

Under certain circumstances, bathing may cause anxiety and/or embarrassment for some individuals. For example, individuals who find themselves incapacitated and/or require assistance with bathing due to illness, surgery, accidents or aging. The anxiety and/or embarrassment may also extend to family members who are assisting in the bathing process. Bathing may also pose lack of privacy concerns in certain environments. For example, bathing in a public place such as an athletic facility or a campground.

A bathing garment may be utilized during bathing. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,509,689 incorporated by reference herein. Such a bathing garment may suffer from one or more of the following disadvantages: is difficult to put on or take off, requires one or more fastening means which may be cumbersome and/or cause skin irritation, provides insufficient coverage, and lacks a rinsable cleansing agent.

Thus, there is a need for a comfortable bathing garment which is easy to put on and take off. There is need for a bathing garment which does not require one or more fastening means. There is need for a bathing garment which provides substantial coverage of the genital region of a wearer. There is also a need for a bathing garment which provides an integrated rinsable cleansing agent. The present teachings address one or more of the above needs.

The present teachings provide a bathing garment with an integrated cleansing agent. The bathing garment is suitable for use during the bathing process in multiple settings. For example, the bathing garment may be worn by an individual in one or more of the following settings: hospital, nursing home, private residence, campgrounds, and athletic facility. The bathing garment provides a private bathing experience for males and females of all ages.

SUMMARY

The present teachings provide an article including a wettable bathing garment including one or more layers of material, a rinsable cleansing agent, and one or more side openings; and wherein the rinsable cleansing agent is integrated with the one or more layers of material.

At least one of the one or more layers of material, the rinsable cleansing agent, or both may include a textured surface. The bathing garment may include an interior surface configured to be adjacent to skin of a wearer and an opposing exterior surface, and wherein the interior surface and the exterior surface may have a same textured surface.

The one or more layers of material may be a non-woven material. The one or more layers of material may include a fabric with a weight of about 180 to about 220 gsm (grams per square meter). At least one of the one or more layers of material may include an embossed surface. At least one of the one or more layers of material may include a geometric pattern. At least one of the one or more layers of material may include a blend of polyester and polyamide.

The rinsable cleansing agent may be soap. The rinsable cleansing agent may be hypoallergenic. At least one of the one or more layers of material may be infused with the rinsable cleansing agent and wherein the cleansing agent may be adapted to be at least partially released from the one or more layers of material upon contact with liquid. At least one surface of the one or more layers of material may be coated with the rinsable cleansing agent and wherein the cleansing agent may be adapted to be at least partially released from the at least one surface of the one or more layers of material upon contact with liquid.

The bathing garment may include: a main body portion including an anterior body portion adapted to cover an anterior body surface of a wearer and a posterior body portion adapted to cover a posterior body surface of the wearer; a neckline portion including an opening adapted for insertion of a head and neck of the wearer; a first arm portion and a second arm portion adapted to cover an arm surface of arms of the wearer; and wherein the main body portion may be configured to extend from the neckline portion to about a knee region of the wearer; wherein the neckline portion may be configured to lay approximately at or below a collar bone region of the wearer; and wherein the first arm portion and the second arm portion may be configured to extend from opposing side portions of the main body portion to about an elbow region of the wearer.

The bathing garment may include a first side opening extending along a first arm portion and a first side of a main body portion and a second side opening extending along a second arm portion and a second side of the main body portion. The one or more side openings may be free of a fastening means.

The bathing garment may include two layers of material connected together including an exterior layer of material and an interior layer of material configured to be adjacent to skin of a wearer, and wherein the interior layer of material may be integrated with the rinsable cleansing agent.

The bathing garment may be opaque. The bathing garment may be free of hook and loop fasteners. The bathing garment may be free of perforations.

Also provided is a method of bathing using the bathing garment of the present teachings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view and a side perspective view of a bathing garment according to the present teachings worn by a female;

FIG. 2 illustrates the front perspective view and close-up views of the bathing garment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view and a side perspective view of a bathing garment according to the present teachings worn by a male; and

FIG. 4 illustrates the front perspective view and close-up views of the bathing garment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of the bathing garment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side perspective view of the bathing garment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a rear perspective view of the bathing garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. 62/590,008 filed on Nov. 22, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

The present teachings meet one or more of the above needs by the improved devices and methods described herein. The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the teachings, its principles, and its practical application. Those skilled in the art may adapt and apply the teachings in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to the requirements of a particular use. Accordingly, the specific embodiments of the present teachings as set forth are not intended as being exhaustive or limiting of the teachings. The scope of the teachings should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible as will be gleaned from the following claims, which are also hereby incorporated by reference into this written description.

The present teachings provide an article including a wettable bathing garment including one or more layers of material, a rinsable cleansing agent, and one or more side openings; and wherein the rinsable cleansing agent is integrated with the one or more layers of material. The bathing garment may be a poncho style bathing garment.

The bathing garment is wettable or penetrable by liquid such as water. At least a portion of the bathing garment may be impenetrable by liquid or waterproof. The entire bathing garment may be free of any waterproof portions. The rinsable cleansing agent is adapted to be at least partially released from the one or more layers of material upon contact with liquid. At least one of the one or more layers of material may be infused with the rinsable cleansing agent and wherein the cleansing agent may be adapted to be at least partially released from the one or more layers of material upon contact with liquid. At least one surface of the one or more layers of material may be coated with the rinsable cleansing agent and wherein the cleansing agent may be adapted to be at least partially released from the at least one surface of the one or more layers of material upon contact with liquid.

The bathing garment includes one or more layers of material. The one or more layers of material may be a non-woven material. The one or more layers of material may be a woven material. A layer of material may include a combination of non-woven material and woven material.

The bathing garment may include at least one layer of a non-woven material. The bathing garment may include at least one layer of a woven material. The bathing garment may include alternating layers of non-woven and woven material. The bathing garment may be free of a non-woven material. The bathing garment may be free of a woven material.

The bathing garment may be comprised of a fabric material. The weight of the fabric material may vary. The gsm (grams per square meter) of the fabric material may range from about 50 gsm to about 400 gsm. The gsm of the fabric material may range from about 100 gsm to about 300 gsm. The gsm of the fabric material may range from about 150 gsm to about 250 gsm. Preferably, the one or more layers of material include a fabric with a weight of about 180 to about 220 gsm.

The bathing garment may include one or materials selected from cotton, cotton blends, polyester, polyester blends, polymers, polymer blends, silk, rayon, viscose, nylon, and combinations thereof. At least one of the one or more layers of material may include polyester. At least one of the one or more layers of material may include polyester blends. At least one of the one or more layers of material may include polymers. At least one of the one or more layers of material may include polymer blends. For example, at least one of the one or more layers of material may include a blend of polyester and polyamide. The percent of polyester in the blend may be in an amount of about 80% or more by weight. Preferably, the percent of polyester in the blend may be in an amount of about 85% or more by weight. The percent of polyamide in the blend may be in an amount of about 20% or less by weight. Preferably, the percent of polyamide in the blend may be in an amount of about 15% or less by weight.

The bathing garment includes a rinsable cleansing agent. The bathing garment may include one or more rinsable cleansing agents. The rinsable cleansing agent may be soap. The rinsable cleansing agent may be hypoallergenic. The rinsable cleansing agent may be formulated for sensitive skin. The rinsable cleansing agent may be fragrance free.

The rinsable cleansing agent is integrated with one or more surfaces of the one or more layers of material. Any suitable technique may be used to incorporate the rinsable cleansing agent. For example, the rinsable cleansing may be coated, fused, infused, embedded, or sprayed onto/into at least a portion of the bathing garment. The rinsable cleansing agent may be dry to the touch after incorporation onto/into the bathing garment.

The rinsable cleansing agent may be activated upon contact with a liquid. The rinsable cleansing agent may suds up upon contact with a liquid. The rinsable cleansing agent may be at least partially released from the bathing garment upon contact with liquid. For example, at least one surface of the one or more layers of material may include one or more coatings of the rinsable cleansing agent that are adapted to be at least partially released upon contact with liquid. The rinsable cleansing agent may be transferred onto the wearer of the bathing garment upon contact with water. The rinsable cleansing agent may be rinsed off of the wearer of the bathing garment with water.

The bathing garment may include two layers of material connected together including an exterior layer of material and an interior layer of material configured to be adjacent to skin of a wearer, and wherein the interior layer of material may be integrated with the rinsable cleansing agent. Multiple layers of materials may be connected together. For example, multiple layers of material may be laminated to each other.

For example, the bathing garment may include one layer of material including an exterior surface and an interior surface configured to be adjacent to skin of a wearer; wherein the exterior surface, the interior surface, or both may include one or more coatings of the rinsable cleansing agent. For example, the bathing garment may include two layers of material connected together including an exterior layer of material and an interior layer of material and wherein a surface of the interior layer of material configured to be adjacent to skin of a wearer may include one or more coatings of the rinsable cleansing agent. For example, the bathing garment may include three layers of material connected together including an exterior layer of material, an intermediate layer of material, and an interior layer of material and wherein a surface of the interior layer of material configured to be adjacent to skin of a wearer may include one or more coatings of the rinsable cleansing agent.

At least one of the one or more layers of material may include a textured surface. For example, a layer of material may include a waffle weave or honeycomb weave. At least one of the one or more layers of material, the rinsable cleansing agent, or both may include a textured surface. The bathing garment may include an interior surface configured to be adjacent to skin of a wearer and an opposing exterior surface, and wherein the interior surface and the exterior surface may have a same textured surface.

At least one of the one or more layers of material may include an embossed surface. At least one of the one or more layers of material may include a dot embossed surface. At least one of the one or more layers of material may include a pattern. The pattern may be raised, depressed, or both relative to a surface of the layer of material. At least one of the one or more layers of material may include a geometric pattern. For example, the geometric pattern may include squares, rectangles, circles, triangles, diamonds or combinations thereof.

The bathing garment may include: a main body portion including an anterior body portion adapted to cover an anterior body surface of a wearer and a posterior body portion adapted to cover a posterior body surface of the wearer; a neckline portion including an opening adapted for insertion of a head and neck of the wearer; a first arm portion and a second arm portion adapted to cover an arm surface of arms of the wearer; and wherein the main body portion may be configured to extend from the neckline portion to about a knee region of the wearer; wherein the neckline portion may be configured to lay approximately at or below a collar bone region of the wearer; and wherein the first arm portion and the second arm portion may be configured to extend from opposing side portions of the main body portion to about an elbow region of the wearer.

The bathing garment may include a first side opening extending along a first arm portion and a first side of a main body portion and a second side opening extending along a second arm portion and a second side of the main body portion. The one or more side openings may be free of a fastening means. The bathing garment may include over the head application. The bathing garment may include over the head removal.

The bathing garment may be opaque. The bathing garment may be opaque prior to and after contact with liquid. The bathing garment may be tearable by hand. The bathing garment may be tear resistant. The bathing garment may be disposable. The bathing garment may be biodegradable. The bathing garment may be recyclable.

The bathing garment may vary in size. The bathing garment may include size ranges. For example, the bathing garment may include sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXL, XXXL and XXXXL. For example, the shoulder to hem length may be from about 26 inches to about 40 inches. For example, the neck to hem length may be from about 24 inches to about 38 inches. For example, the hem width may be from about 19 inches to about 45 inches. For example, the shoulder to shoulder width may be from about 19 inches to about 45 inches. For example, the neck opening width may be from about 6 inches to about 15 inches. For example, the neck depth may be from about 1 inches to about 5 inches.

The bathing garment maybe unisex. The bathing garment may include a male embodiment. The bathing garment may include a female embodiment. The bathing garment may vary in color. For example, a particular color may be associated with a female embodiment and particular color may be associated with a male embodiment.

The bathing garment may include adornments on one or more surfaces. The bathing garment may include printed verbiage on one or more surfaces. The bathing garment may include prints on one or more surfaces.

The bathing garment may be free of perforations. The bathing garment may be free of any perforated openings. The bathing garment may include perforations. The bathing garment may include one or more perforated openings.

Preferably, the bathing garment is free of any fasteners. The bathing garment may be free of hook and loop fasteners. The bathing garment may be free of straps. The bathing garment may be free of ties. Alternatively, the bathing garment may include one or more of the following: hook and loop fasteners, buttons/button holes, snaps, ties, elastic, ribbons, rope, belt, pins, clips, and zippers or like closures.

The bathing garment may be free of hemming. One or more portions of the bathing garment may be hemmed. For example, one or more of the neckline portion, main body portion, first and second arm portions, and one or more side openings may be hemmed.

The bathing garment may be free of pockets. The bathing garment may include one or more pockets. The one or more pockets may be external or internal pockets.

The bathing garment may include one or more liners. The one or more liners may be non-removable. The one or more liners may be removably attached to the bathing garment.

The bathing garment may include a hood adapted to cover the head and neck region of a wearer. The hood may be non-removable. The hood may be removably attached to the bathing garment.

The bathing garment may include a separate accessory bathing garment including a waistband portion including one or more openings adapted for insertion of feet and legs of a wearer; and wherein the accessory bathing garment may be configured to extend from about a waist region to about a knee region of a wearer. The waistband portion of the accessory bathing garment may include a stretchable material. For example, the accessory bathing garment may be shorts. For example, the accessory bathing garment may be a skirt.

The present teachings provide a method of bathing while wearing the bathing garment of the present teachings. The method may include providing the bathing garment. The method may include removing the bathing garment from a sterile and heat sealed package. The method may include dressing in the bathing garment. The dressing may be implemented by the wearer of the garment and/or another individual. The another individual may be a caregiver or medical worker.

The method may include bathing a body of an individual dressed in the bathing garment. The method of bathing may include contacting the bathing garment with water such that the water penetrates the bathing garment and contacts skin of the individual dressed in the bathing garment. The contacting of water may result in sudsing of the integrated cleansing agent. The method of bathing may include rubbing portions of the bathing garment against portions of the dressed individual's body. The method of bathing may include utilizing gloved hands to scrub the dressed individual's body with the bathing garment. The method of bathing may include utilizing bare hands to scrub the dressed individual's body with the bathing garment. The dressed individual may be standing in a shower, sitting in a safety bath chair, sitting in a wheelchair, or lying in bed.

The method of bathing may include rinsing the dressed individual and bathing garment with water. The rinsing may include contacting the dressed individual and bathing garment with water for a sufficient time such that the rinsable cleansing agent is at least partially released from the one or more layers of material. At least about 50% to about 90% of the rinsable cleansing agent may be released. At least about 50% of the rinsable cleansing agent may be released. At least about 75% of the rinsable cleansing agent may be released. At least about 90% of the rinsable cleansing agent may be released. The rinsable cleansing agent may be at least partially released from the one or more layers of material in about 5 minutes to about 20 minutes. The rinsable cleansing agent may be at least partially released from the one or more layers of material in about 5 minutes. The rinsable cleansing agent may be at least partially released from the one or more layers of material in about 10 minutes. The rinsable cleansing agent may be at least partially released from the one or more layers of material in about 15 minutes. The rinsable cleansing agent may be at least partially released from the one or more layers of material in about 20 minutes. The method may include removing the bathing garment from a body of the wearer. The method may include rinsing the body upon removal of the bathing garment to remove any residue. The method may include disposing of the bathing garment.

FIGS. 1-4 depict a bathing garment 300 on a wearer 500 and FIGS. 5-7 depict the bathing garment 300 alone. The bathing garment 300 includes one or more layers of material 100, a rinsable cleansing agent 200, and one or more side openings 90. The rinsable cleansing agent 200 is integrated with the one or more layers of material 100. A main body portion 80 is configured to extend from a neckline portion 70 to about a knee region of the wearer 500. The main body portion 80 includes an anterior body portion 82 adapted to cover an anterior body surface of the wearer 500 and a posterior body portion 84 adapted to cover a posterior body surface of the wearer 500. The neckline portion 70 is configured to lay approximately at or below a collar bone region of the wearer 500. The neckline portion 70 includes an opening 75 adapted for insertion of a head and neck of the wearer 500. A first arm portion 62 and a second arm portion 64 are configured to extend from opposing side portions 86 of the main body portion 80 to about an elbow region of the wearer 500. The first arm portion 62 and the second arm portion 64 are adapted to cover an arm surface of arms of the wearer 500. At least one of the one or more layers of material 100, the rinsable cleansing agent 200, or both include a textured surface 150.

As used herein, unless otherwise stated, the teachings envision that any member of a genus (list) may be excluded from the genus; and/or any member of a Markush grouping may be excluded from the grouping.

Unless otherwise stated, any numerical values recited herein include all values from the lower value to the upper value in increments of one unit provided that there is a separation of at least 2 units between any lower value and any higher value. As an example, if it is stated that the amount of a component, a property, or a value of a process variable such as, for example, temperature, pressure, time and the like is, for example, from 1 to 90, preferably from 20 to 80, more preferably from 30 to 70, it is intended that intermediate range values such as (for example, 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32 etc.) are within the teachings of this specification. Likewise, individual intermediate values are also within the present teachings. For values which are less than one, one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, or 0.1 as appropriate. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner. As can be seen, the teaching of amounts expressed as “parts by weight” herein also contemplates the same ranges expressed in terms of percent by weight. Thus, an expression in the of a range in terms of “at least ‘x’ parts by weight of the resulting composition” also contemplates a teaching of ranges of same recited amount of “x” in percent by weight of the resulting composition.”

Unless otherwise stated, all ranges include both endpoints and all numbers between the endpoints. The use of “about” or “approximately” in connection with a range applies to both ends of the range. Thus, “about 20 to 30” is intended to cover “about 20 to about 30”, inclusive of at least the specified endpoints.

The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for ail purposes. The term “consisting essentially of to describe a combination shall include the elements, ingredients, components or steps identified, and such other elements ingredients, components or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the combination. The use of the terms “comprising” or “including” to describe combinations of elements, ingredients, components or steps herein also contemplates embodiments that consist of, or consist essentially of the elements, ingredients, components or steps.

Plural elements, ingredients, components or steps can be provided by a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step. Alternatively, a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step might be divided into separate plural elements, ingredients, components or steps. The disclosure of “a” or “one” to describe an element, ingredient, component or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements, ingredients, components or steps.

It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments as well as many applications besides the examples provided will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. The omission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it be regarded that the inventors did not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter. 

I claim:
 1. An article comprising: a wettable bathing garment including one or more layers of material, a rinsable cleansing agent, and one or more side openings; and wherein the rinsable cleansing agent is integrated with the one or more layers of material.
 2. The article of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more layers of material, the rinsable cleansing agent, or both include a textured surface.
 3. The article of claim 1, wherein the bathing garment includes an interior surface configured to be adjacent to skin of a wearer and an opposing exterior surface, and wherein the interior surface and the exterior surface have a same textured surface.
 4. The article of claim 1, wherein the one or more layers of material are a non-woven material.
 5. The article of claim 1, wherein the one or more layers of material include a fabric with a weight of about 180 to about 220 gsm (grams per square meter).
 6. The article of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more layers of material includes an embossed surface.
 7. The article of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more layers of material includes a geometric pattern.
 8. The article of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more layers of material includes a blend of polyester and polyamide.
 9. The article of claim 1, wherein the rinsable cleansing agent is soap.
 10. The article of claim 1, wherein the rinsable cleansing agent is hypoallergenic.
 11. The article of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more layers of material is infused with the rinsable cleansing agent and wherein the cleansing agent is adapted to be at least partially released from the one or more layers of material upon contact with liquid.
 12. The article claim 1, wherein at least one surface of the one or more layers of material is coated with the rinsable cleansing agent and wherein the cleansing agent is adapted to be at least partially released from the at least one surface of the one or more layers of material upon contact with liquid.
 13. The article of claim 1, wherein the bathing garment is opaque.
 14. The article of claim 1, wherein the bathing garment is free of hook and loop fasteners.
 15. The article of claim 1, wherein the bathing garment is free of perforations.
 16. A wettable bathing garment including one or more layers of material, a rinsable cleansing agent, and one or more side openings; wherein the rinsable cleansing agent is integrated with the one or more layers of material; wherein the bathing garment includes: i) a main body portion including an anterior body portion adapted to cover an anterior body surface of a wearer and a posterior body portion adapted to cover a posterior body surface of the wearer; ii) a neckline portion including an opening adapted for insertion of a head and neck of the wearer; iii) a first arm portion and a second arm portion adapted to cover an arm surface of arms of the wearer; wherein the main body portion is configured to extend from the neckline portion to about a knee region of the wearer; wherein the neckline portion is configured to lay approximately at or below a collar bone region of the wearer; and wherein the first arm portion and the second arm portion are configured to extend from opposing side portions of the main body portion to about an elbow region of the wearer.
 17. The article of claim 16, wherein the bathing garment includes a first side opening extending along a first arm portion and a first side of a main body portion and a second side opening extending along a second arm portion and a second side of the main body portion.
 18. The article of claim 16, wherein the one or more side openings are free of a fastening means.
 19. The article of claim 16, wherein the bathing garment includes two layers of material connected together including an exterior layer of material and an interior layer of material configured to be adjacent to skin of a wearer, and wherein the interior layer of material is integrated with the rinsable cleansing agent.
 20. A method of bathing using the bathing garment of claim 1, wherein: i) an individual is dressed with the bathing garment; ii) the dressed individual and the bathing garment contact water for a sufficient time such that the rinsable cleansing agent is at least partially released from the one or more layers of material; iii) portions of the bathing garment are rubbed against portions of the dressed individual's body to clean the individual; and (iv) removing the bathing garment and rinsing the individual to remove any residue. 